INACRAFT 2015: A MELTING POT OF INDONESIA'S CULTURE AND TRADITION

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/24/citizen-journalism-from-villages-global-market.html

Rows of Javanese traditional handicrafts welcomed us as we made our way for the first time to The INACRAFT 2015 exhibition. The more we explore, the more we discovered the vibrant ornaments and rich artistic traditions of various ethnic groups spawning across our archipelago. Various brooches, silverwares, sandals, kilts, bags, cloths, paintings and many other gifts sat invitingly, surrounded by eager visitors. From affordable to crazily expensives prices, these diverse etnic crafts and housewares were displayed in grace. They represent Indonesia's rich culture heritage of art and handicrafts.

Coming from Java, I am proud to see the highly developed art forms of Javanese artisans reflected in the distinctive batik designs, silver, wayang, handicrafts and other art objects.  Batik textiles ranged  from hand drawn to stamped batik, took intricate design of which takes months to create. The Surakarta and Yogyakarta royal batik designs merged with  traditional colors of navy blue, cream, brown and black have given way to a myriad of colors utilizing modern imported dyes.

There were also some antique housewares that reminded me of home. The old charcoal iron brought back my childhood memories of my grandmother ironing our clothes with the heavy metal filled with coal. Immediately, I could smell the burning sensation of the ironing process in which my grandma would sweat and fan herself after such a tiring labor. This smell stayed with me when I went home.

Digging further into the packed exhibition stands, visitors were spoiled with stunning textiles of diverse culture, double weave ikat from Nusa Tenggara, silk Bugis sarong from Sulawesi, gold-painted Balinese endek fabric; shimmering songket from Palembang utilizing silver and gold metallic threads weft in woven cotton or silk ikat; and Tapis weavings from Lampung. All of which have showcased Indonesia's rich culture and tradition, known for its outstanding array of traditional crafts.

Domestic visitors as well as foreigners flocked to this annual event. In its final day, more people come. The snaking queue to enter the compound was frustrating. Yet, acknowledged as one of the biggest and the most complete handicraft exhibition in Indonesia has made the show a rare event to miss,  a melting pot of Indonesia's culture and tradition.

The exhibition offered possibilities both for traders and potential buyers. Transactions and deals were sealed and new business contracts drafted. 

With INACRAFT 2015 main theme of From Smart Village to Global Market, the show helps to promote and facilitate distinctive Indonesia’s unique crafts products to the higher level of commerciality and artistic aesthetic. 

Beating a Pickpocket’s Game

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/27/citizen-journalism-beating-pickpocket-game.html

A pickpocket? Well, who hasn’t met one on a very typical day in the streets of Jakarta, in particular, in public transport? Living in this metropolitan for more than a decade now, I find the city very "dangerous" in terms of petty theft. Purse-snatching and pick pocketing are rampant in public spaces. Beware and stay alert!


Using public transportation is simply emotionally draining and physically exhausting in this big city if you know what I mean. It’s fiercer than any reality show challenges on TV. It's as harder as crossing a bridge of fire, lol.

I believe commuters share the same experience with me related to pickpockets, a very typical day on the streets of Jakarta. Relief to be free from the overcrowded commuter train this morning, I had to dash out to catch metromini (public bus). For Jakartans, Metromini is inseparable with the hustle bustle of the hectic city. Renowned for their distinctive orange color, scraps of metal hanging from them and cracked passenger windows, these public buses are cheap and incredibly fast on any given day, well, except off course when they are not trapped in the worst traffic congestion. They are also notorious to pick passengers up all along their route and drop them off anywhere, usually without stopping.

So passengers jump on and off the Metro mini, often in the middle of the busy road. Oh yeah, it’s really dangerous, isn’t it? Jumping off from a moving bus? Well… what can I say, that’s what I experience daily. Life is tough! Being accidentally kicked, elbowed, or trampled is nothing new to me. As much as I am horrified to kick, elbow, or trample others by accident, there’s nothing I could do whenever I take these public transport.

It’s like survival of the fittest. Face it and just deal with it.

As if it’s not enough racing my life with these irresponsible buses, I also have to stay vigilant at all time. Pickpockets are in every nook and corner. I was alerted when a lanky man with a tidy outfit orchestrated an odd movement when a lady tried to get off at Bundaran HI bus stop. Another man stood right in the door, blocking her way. Instantly, my radar picked up the blaring alarm. There were four of them. Beneath their neat dress, I could not help noticing malice. A team of pickpockets!

Getting her way out, the lady screamed and yelled “Copet!” (pickpocket) over and over again until the bus drove away. Those men sternly ordered the driver to keep on driving. They moved to the backseats. I clutched my bag tighter. My heart hammered in my chest. I noticed there were only four female passengers left and one man. We instinctively moved forward, and huddled close. It’s safer to be together than alone.

We stared at each other wide eyed, alerting one another of the danger. Luckily, the odd was still in our favor. These thugs got off the bus when it reached Sarinah bus stop. We all exhaled in relief. It’s the longest five minutes ride ever! We survived another commute.

Learning from experience, here are some tips that might help you avoid pickpockets from ruining your day.

First, carry your bag across you chest or under your arm and slightly in front of you. It is absolutely non negotiable to keep your purse and its openings under your elbow, and not at the back. Avoid zipper in the back because it will make someone behind you easier to unzip it and make off with its contents. You don't have eyes in the back of our heads, ladies, so keep your purse where you can see it.

Second, never rummage your wallet or count money in public. It’s like flaunting your cash for the whole world to see. It’s like sweet nectar for pickpockets. Thus, it’s wiser to prepare your small change in advance before getting on any public vehicle. The policy applies to using your fancy gadget in public, be it smart phones or any other devices.

Third, always stay alert and focus. Some pickpockets work in teams by premeditating ways in which to distract you. For example, one guy would tap at your back, pretending brushing off the ash emanating from his cigarette, while another reaches into your back pocket for your wallet and hands it to the third guy. 

Fourth, only carry what you need, bringing only the essentials. Don’t have anything more in your wallet than you are willing to lose. Don’t wear any fancy jewelry or items that might easily lure unwanted attention. Last but not the least, scan your surrounding carefully. Men with tidy outfit with perhaps a tinge of cologne or so, as if ready ready for work, are not always what they appear to be. If you pay close attention, often you can see something out of place about them, then your radar will scream for an alert!A gang of pickpockets!

Beware .... And may the odds be ever in your favor.